Pro Bono Committee

PRO BONO COMMITTEE: ANNUAL REPORT 2016 - 2017

Chair: Janice Lancaster

The Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association Pro-Bono Committee continues its paralegal volunteer opportunities with The Family Tree, an organization dedicated to providing a broad range of services to families and the youth of metro Denver. Approximately 3 RMPA members are currently involved with The Family Tree bi-monthly legal aid clinics held in Jefferson County.

Many of the people who attend the Jefferson County legal clinics are seeking help with divorce and/or child custody issues and are not financially able to hire an attorney. Initially, each person attends a group meeting with a family law attorney and then meets privately with a paralegal who helps complete the necessary paper work for pro se representation in dissolution, custody and post decree proceedings. Many of the women seeking help are living at The Family Tree shelter and have few resources.

In addition, several members of the Pro-Bono Committee participate each year in the Denver Homeless Connect program, originally initiated by Mayor Hickenlooper to end homeless in Denver.

During the winter season, several RMPA members donate time and collection efforts for the Arapahoe County Santa Claus Workshop, the Catholic Charities Adopt-a-Family, Families First and The Gathering Place.

The Urban Peak organization held a sock drive during the month of October, Socktober! It also held an underwear drive in November and RMPA members donated to both drives.

Urban Peak has a thrift store, Peak Thrift, located at 4890 Pecos Street, Denver, CO 80221. The hours of operation are 10am – 7pm Monday through Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. Young adults threatened with homelessness work at Peak Thrift where they earn a paycheck and work experience. Peak Thrift accepts clothing and small household appliances.

Members may contact Janice Lancaster, (303) 866-0239, for more information regarding any of the above described opportunities.